Summary Draft 2: Concrete That Grows

Scientists create living concrete from bacteria and sand

According to the article, written by Corless, "Scientists create living concrete from bacteria and sand", researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder have created living concrete from bacteria and sand. They have introduced a new living material, by combining sand, hydrogel and bacteria.

The article explains that photosynthetic cyanobacterium was biomineralized with a 3D sand-hydrogel scaffold, which produces new bricks from the original brick. The article also claims that biological viability and mechanical performance cannot coincide. Thus, additives are incorporated to enhance the quality of the material. Hence, it possesses properties that are comparable to cement-based mortar, which carries biological purposes. Corless interviewed Srubar (2020), the director of Living Materials Laboratory, he claimed that this process will change people's thinking about the manufacturing industry and reusable materials.

Corless further mentions that despite this technology being in its early development phase, it represents a new era in material manufacturing: a new grade of responsive materials “in which structural function is complemented by biological functions.” 

In my opinion, due to technology’s rapid advancement, there are other alternatives like turning fungi into 'bricks' for construction, using ground granulated blast furnace slag as a partial replacement for cement and utilizing 3D printing formwork for construction. These alternatives could perhaps enhance concrete or replace it in the near future.

Corless, V. (2020). Scientists create living concrete from bacteria and sand. Retrieved 30 January 2022, from https://www.advancedsciencenews.com/scientists-create-living-concrete-from-bacteria-and-sand/